U.S. President Donald Trump held a private meeting with Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House on Monday, marking a significant step toward rebuilding bilateral relations after years of conflict. The closed-door discussion—held without media presence—focused on aligning priorities, including Syria's push for permanent sanctions relief and Washington's goal of expanding counterterrorism cooperation against Islamic State (IS) remnants.
Syrian authorities confirmed Saturday that security forces had launched operations targeting IS cells across multiple provinces, coinciding with al-Sharaa's diplomatic visit. This follows Trump's temporary 180-day waiver of Caesar Act sanctions in May, though permanent repeal would require Congressional approval.
The White House framed the engagement as part of broader peace efforts. "The president believes in meeting with anyone committed to stability," stated Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The talks gained momentum after last week's UN Security Council decision to remove al-Sharaa and Syrian interim interior minister Anas Khattab from terrorism sanctions lists—a move later mirrored by U.S. authorities.
Al-Sharaa's complex history adds intrigue to the diplomatic shift. Once a wanted al-Qaeda operative with a $10 million U.S. bounty, he later led rebel forces that ousted former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending Syria's 14-year civil war. Analysts suggest his transition from militant to statesman reflects Syria's evolving political landscape.
